Married to Jackie – who runs Jackie’s Baguettes in the Market Place – and with two children, Kayleigh, 19, and Jordan, 18, Stuart says he is delighted with the honour.

He told us: “I am very pleased to have been picked. I’ve always tried to support the Common Riding, although have tended to be working when it’s been on – although that has included working at Selkirk Common Riding itself.”

A native of Edinburgh, Stuart joined the army straight from school and spent 14 years serving as a driver with the Royal Corps of Transport and its successor unit, the Royal Logistics Corps.

Two years driving heavy good lorries was followed by enlistment in the police in 2000, and he is currently based at the Selkirk station.

Both Stuart and Jackie – the couple live in Sentry Knowe – are looking forward to the Common Riding, with their busy schedule kicking off with the appointment of the Royal Burgh Standard Bearer tonight.

Jackie explained: “Our son Jordan plays for Selkirk Youth Club and they are playing at Murrayfield in the RBS National Youth Cup on Sunday, so it’s going to be a very busy and exciting weekend all round.”

While Jackie, who has run her baguette business for the past five years, is normally working in her shop on Common Riding morning, this year she has other plans.

“The shop will be open as usual, but I’ll definitely be taking that particular day off!” she laughedd